Headline, July16, 2013

'''KIT DESLAURIER​S : 

ALL HEROES : DARE'''

October 2006. Kit DesLauriers became the first woman to ski down the Everest from  29,028 ft peak. Hear it in her own words:

When my husband Rob suggested I ski Everest, I thought, ''You have got to be kidding!'' But in April 2005, we decided to try and climb and ski the Seven Summits, and of course, we left hardest, ''until the last.''

We arrived at the Base Camp 9 September and reached the summit on 18 October. I felt like a million dollars, but you never have the time to bask in your achievement.......the reality is that you are only half way.

At the summit, I swapped crampons for skis and I remember feeling completely focused. I wouldn't say I was super-confident, but i wasn't scared. I believed that I could do it.

As we set off, the weather was closing in. We skied down the 500ft ridge to the Hillary Step, but had to battle the wind and the cold; plus there was high avalanche danger.

When we reached the top of the Hillary Step, we realised we were running out of oxygen. Lack of oxygen affects your concentration and we decided to climb down the near vertical 40ft drop. It was disappointing not to have skied all the way down, but it was the right decision to climb to South Col.

The next morning we skied down the Lhotse Face. It was 5,000 vertical feet, at an angle of 45 to 50 degrees. It was the toughest conditions any of us had faced. it took one hour and 45 minutes, but one slip and that would have been it.

We skied down past Camp II and towards Camp I, but the weather closed in..We could hardly see at that point. Zero visibility, and so we took our skis off and walked down to the Base Camp.

At the bottom we were just elated. It was such a rewarding experience. First and Foremost, we made it down. And to be the First Woman to Ski Off the summit was an achievement I am so proud of. I hope it inspires other women, maybe the FIRST WOMEN PRESIDENT!!!

With most respectful dedication to First Lady- Senator- Secretary Hillary Clinton. A great friend of the students.

Good Night & God Bless!

SAM Daily Times - the Voice of the Voiceless